Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Release Date: September 14, 2008
Barnes and Noble / Amazon / Goodreads
From Goodreads:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
24 hours! That's how long it took me to finish The Hunger Games. If you've read The Hunger Games, you already know why it took just 24 hours to read the book, and if you haven't- it has nothing to do with the length of the book. I've heard many good things about the series and my curiosity got the better of me. Finally last night, I broke down, pulled out my Nook and pressed the "Buy" button that sat innocently enough next to The Hunger Games cover.
I have to say, when I began the book, I was introduced to a world that seemed oddly familiar. Not familiar to our everyday lives, but to two other books in-particular; Lauren Oliver's "Delirium" and George Orwell's classic, "1984." From the overpowering presence of the government and their "unclaimed" dictatorship, right down to the sectioned cities and their electrifed security fences. At first, I was dissapointed that I felt like I was in two other books but that did come to an end. Eventually, the similarities take alternate pathways and the world of The Hunger Games becomes you. This world is fascinating, exciting, thrilling and (at times) scary.
Our protagonist, Katniss Everdeen and supporting character, Peeta Mellark, both go through huge transformations. At the beginning, I found Katniss likable and Peeta- tolreable. But the events that occur in the games alter these characters greatly and I felt the urge to love them. By the end I was cheering for this heroine and her counterpart. I love how and by what means, their relationship develops into something that leaves you torn and craving more!
In 24 hours, a lot can happen, and "happen" it did! I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the next book in the trilogy. "Catching Fire," here I come!
